MrFlicks

Originally Posted by MissTVWorlds

Your first Trimester – 0-12weeks.

First off let me say congratulations on being pregnant you won’t yet feel it or be able to see it but your body is going through an amazing transformation below I hope to explain some of the changes that you may or may not experience plus what is happening to you in these early weeks.


Breasts
Breasts are often one of the first things to change and you will no doubt notice they have become tender this is down to the increase of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, all this is in preparation for feeding your baby.

You may notice that they begin to feel heavier and over all get larger this is a good time to begin wearing a supportive bra or a sports bra, the areolas (the pigmented areas around each breast's nipple) will also become darker and enlarge some people begin to see blue veins in their breasts this is is down to an increase in blood supply to the breast.

Fatigue/Tiredness
Many woman feel very tired in the first trimester this is completely normal even if you have had a good nights sleep its just your body’s way of coping with the changes not to mention your heart will beat faster and quicker all this is likely to make you feel tired, so the best thing you can do is try and get at least eight hours sleep every night and if possible an afternoon nap!

You may like to think about taking a multi vitamin tablet this will ensure you are getting all of the vitamins your body needs at this time.

Nausea/Vomiting
Feeling sick has to be one of the most common complaints of pregnancy but it is usually a first trimester thing and most woman find its worse first thing in the morning though the odd poor soul can have it throughout the day or find themselves queasy from certain smells or foods.

It is helpful to eat small snacks throughout the day as long periods without food will end up in having a low blood sugar level, ginger ale or biscuits are widely used during this phase a packet next to the bed and one eaten upon waking often works wonders for many woman.

Don’t worry if you loose weight to begin with because of vomiting this is actually normal for many and is usually gone after the third month however if you feel its excessive then visit your doctor who can prescribe some anti sickness tablets.

No one likes being sick and left with the nasty after taste but try and avoid brushing your teeth each time as you will the acid from your stomach weakens the enamel on your teeth and brushing will cause damage instead swill some toothpaste and water around your mouth.

Mood Swings
With the increase of hormones in your body it will be no surprise that you may become a bit tetchy or moody you may be joyous one minute and fearful the next but remind yourself this is all normal, you may feel panicky about your baby’s well being but by taking simple steps to you can help yourself by listening to some relaxing music, taking a walk can relieve some tension and a long warm bath can help.

Discussing your feeling with others will also help, if your mood swings become to much then seeing your doctor or midwife can help.

Increased Urination
As your uterus grows it will begin to cause pressure on your bladder causing you to visit the loo more frequently to stop so many frequent trips lean forward when peeing and this will ensure you empty your bladder properly.

Having to make so many bathroom trips can play havoc with your sleep so drink less in the evenings this should help put a stop to it and if you find yourself leaking wearing a panty liner will help.
By month four your uterus will move up into the abdominal cavity and stop the need to pee so often, on a final note pee when you need to holding it in is likely to cause urinary tract infections.

Dizziness
You may find you feel lightheaded at times and some woman even faint this can be because of low blood sugar levels or because you have been sitting or standing in one position to long and the sudden movement of standing can cause dizziness keeping active and eating frequently should help the symptoms.

When you next visit your midwife be sure to mention this so you can then be tested for anaemia though you can help yourself by taking a multi vitamin and eating plenty of greens which are high in iron broccoli and bok choy are great examples.

Constipation and Piles
As your uterus grows the intestines and rectum become squashed and this can cause constipation high levels of progesterone also complicate matters as it slows down contractions in the intestines this can sometimes cause wind and heartburn.

Eating a diet high in fibre and drinking plenty of water will help constipation on another note do not strain to have a poo this will cause piles and can become very painful try not to sit for long periods of time as this often exasperates the problem.

Baby’s Development

Week4
I will begin at week 4 as this is normally the earliest you will discover you are pregnant it is now two weeks after conception and the embryo (your baby)has now moved down the fallopian tubes into the uterus and found itself a comfy spot on your uterus wall it will then split to form the placenta and your baby who at the minute your baby is only around the size of a pin head.

Week 5
Though your baby is a mass of cells it is already beginning to take shape part of the embryo is forming what will be the spinal cord and part of the brain at the centre of the embryo is a lump which will form into your baby’s heart.

Week 6
Your baby is now growing at a fast rate the brain is forming into the already formed head and the umbilical cord is growing plus small bumps that will form into your baby’s arms and legs.

Its now developing the eyes at the side of its head and the passageway of what will become its ears, shortly it will beat its first heartbeat and blood will begin to flow around its miniscule little form which only measure around 2-4millemeteres.

Week 7
This week is a busy week arms and legs continue to grow as do the ears and eyes the intestines, lungs and pancreas are now beginning to form as well as the face beginning to take shape, the shape of the mouth and the pigmentation in the iris are all happening right now.

Considering all of this is going on your baby is still only about the size of a single grain of rice!

Week 8
This week your baby’s upper lip is forming as is the nose the skin on the eyes is beginning to form which will become the eyelids, the brain can now clearly be seen and it may be this week that your baby will spontaneously move (though you wont know it.)

Fingers and toes are now forming as are your baby’s bones and the gonads which will form into either ovaries or testes, already formed is the anus and the intestines are now growing longer.

Week 9
The gonads have now fully formed into testes or ovaries the bones which have been growing are now becoming harder while the tail which was at the base if baby’s spine has now nearly disappeared and the bay’s head is now considerably bigger than the rest of its body which now weighs around 4grams.

Week 10
This is the week your baby has now officially become a foetus and no longer an embryo his or her brain is growing quickly as are the fingers and toes which are beginning to separate.

External genitalia is forming and if it’s a boy the hormone testosterone will be made in his testes, your baby’s vital organs have formed and will shortly begin working together.
Oh and by now you should be noticing your expanding waistline!

Week 11
With rapid growth of the uterus it may be around now you start to feel tired and its not surprising because by week 20 your baby will have gone from around 8grams to 300 grams and will be just over 6 inches in length.
Your baby’s organs are growing fast and the finger nails and irises will begin to form.

Week 12
Fingernails and toe nails will continue to form as will the brain his already formed heart can now be heard by your midwife and his or her face now has a little chin and nose.